Memorial SportsCare to Hold Seventh Annual Women's Biathlon

The biathlon is a noncompetitive event that features a 20-kilometer bike ride and a 5-kilometer run. Women can choose to participate in the entire event or select the relay option, in which one woman completes the bike portion of the event and her partner finishes the run.

The event begins at 9 a.m. at Memorial SportsCare, which is also the home of the Gus and Flora Kerasotes YMCA, at the intersection of West Iles Avenue and Archer Elevator Road. A community health and fun fair featuring free health screenings will be held during and after the biathlon.

Registration is limited to the first 500 women who sign up.

Women can register online at Active.com and type "Memorial SportsCare Women’s Biathlon" in the search field. If you are participating in the relay, you and your partner must register separately.

The biathlon has been sanctioned by USA Triathlon, the sanctioning authority for more than 2,000 diverse events ranging from grass-roots to high-profile races nationwide.

SportsCare’s biathlon is a noncompetitive event for central Illinois women regardless of whether they have experience in participating in an organized athletic event, said Stacy Curtis, SportsCare’s senior physical therapist and the biathlon’s co-director. “It’s geared to be a starter event for women who want a healthy lifestyle.”

Participants will be able to pick up their event packets at SportsCare from 4-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, or on the day of the event from 6:30-8:30 a.m. All participants must show a photo ID at packet pickup.

The cost for the entire event is $30 for those who are 14 to 17 years old and $45 for those 18 and older. The cost for the relay for each participant is $20 for 14- to 17-year-olds and $35 for those 18 and older.

Participants who are not USA Triathlon members will also need to pay an additional USAT one-day membership fee, $10 for 14- to 17-year-olds and $12 for those 18 and older. All USA Triathlon members must bring their membership cards.

Volunteers are also needed on the day of the event to help at the finish line and with timing, course monitoring, cleanup, and drink and aid stations. Volunteers can register at MemorialSportsCare.com.